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The Tinel sign has no diagnostic value for nerve entrapment or neuropathy in the legs
Author(s) -
Datema Mirjam,
Hoitsma Elske,
Roon Krista I.,
Malessy Martijn J.A.,
Van Dijk J. Gert,
Tannemaat Martijn R.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.25000
Subject(s) - medicine , entrapment neuropathy , entrapment , polyneuropathy , peripheral neuropathy , nerve conduction , nerve compression syndrome , surgery , anesthesia , carpal tunnel syndrome , diabetes mellitus , endocrinology
The presence of a Tinel sign in leg nerves has been proposed as a criterion for decompressive surgery in polyneuropathy. We investigated the diagnostic yield of the Tinel sign for nerve entrapment and for distal symmetrical peripheral neuropathy (DSPN). Methods We prospectively tested for the Tinel sign at 3 sites of possible nerve entrapment per leg in 91 patients. Entrapment was defined using nerve conduction data. We also investigated whether the number of sites at which the Tinel sign was present identified patients with DSPN. Results Sensitivity of the Tinel sign for nerve entrapment was low (29%, 44%, and 17%) for the 3 sites, and specificity was moderate (86%, 75%, and 81%). In the subgroup with DSPN, sensitivity was extremely low (0%, 20%, and 8%), and specificity was moderate (91%, 79%, and 73%). The number of sites with a Tinel sign did not identify patients with DSPN. Conclusion The Tinel sign does not reliably indicate nerve entrapment or DSPN. Muscle Nerve 54 : 25–30, 2016